HONEYSUCKLE VINE
Honeysuckle flowers are loaded with sweet nectar and a lovely fragrance, an alluring combination for hummingbirds and butterflies. The hardy vines with colorful, tubular flower clusters in shades of red, orange, yellow, or pink, fit well into just about any landscape. Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) belong to a large family that consists of hardy shrubs and vines that grow in almost every state in America. There are over 180 different varieties of honeysuckle. Some are deciduous and some, in warmer regions, are evergreen. Because of their versatility and abundance, growing and caring for honeysuckle vines is easy. They do best in full sun but will tolerate some shade, and are not particularly fussy about soil. A trellis or some sort of support will help the vine grow strong and upright. Pruning can be done when vines are dormant, late fall or winter, and will respond well to hard trims, sending up plenty of new shoots in spring. Honeysuckle vines also make great ground cover for erosion control.
